Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Deepening Feud Between Israel's Foreign Minister and Egypt

The gloves are off and relations are deteriorating in a vicious public feud that began when Israel's foreign minister accused Egypt of ineffectiveness in policing the arms smuggling into Gaza. The Israeli government followed up this criticism with a video to Washington proving the point. A furious Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak responded last week saying FM Tzipi Livni had "crossed red lines" and accused Israel of meddling in Egypt's relations with the United States. Pro-Israel forces on Capital Hill are lobbying members of Congress and lawmakers are withholding $100 million in military aid to Egypt until Secretary of State Rice certifies that Egypt is making an all out effort to halt the smuggling. In a fierce, new ad hominem attack on Livni, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Aboul Gheit threatened to "inflict serious damage" on Israel's diplomatic interests abroad. His advisers explain that this means declaring Livni a "persona non grata" throughout Africa and pressuring nations under Egyptian influence to back away from contacts with the Jewish state.

Fatah Celebrations in Gaza Turn Violent; Six Dead

Fatah celebrated its 43rd anniversary in the Gaza Strip on Monday in defiance of a Hamas ban against Fatah gatherings. In the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, celebrations turned ugly when Hamas and Fatah loyalists fired on each other. The shootout left six dead and over thirty wounded. Hamas sought to block the festivities by raiding Fatah offices and arresting Fatah members. In spite of the violence, Fatah head and Palestinian Authority Chairman, Mahmoud 'Abbas struck a conciliatory tone in his anniversary address in Ramallah. Referring to Hamas, 'Abbas called for "a credible agreement” between Fatah and Hamas, “based on partnership, life, our homeland, and our struggle for liberation.'' 'Abbas implicitly accused Israel of hypocrisy when he cited the Swiss president's revelation that despite the official "no contact with Hamas" policy, Israeli officials had met secretly with Hamas representatives in Switzerland.

Hizbullah Rebuilding Extends to South Lebanon

The United Nations peacekeeping forces in south Lebanon as Hizbullah rebuilds its infrastructure on the northern banks of the Litani River, and trying to prevent heavy arms from being smuggled into areas south of the river, close to the border with Israel. Maj.-Gen. Claudio Graziano, the Italian officer commanding the UNIFIL force, has reportedly ordered his men to pay close attention to bridges and crossings over the Litani and to keep an eye open for Hizbullah smuggling activities. Hizbullah itself announced it has new medium- and long-range missiles in place on the northern banks of the Litani, providing an even greater capacity to attack Israel than before the 2006 war. It is believed that with its new arms in place, Hizbullah is trying to re-enter the south and return to the positions between the Litani and the Israeli border it held before and during the war. According to analysts, the continued unrest in Lebanon and the inability to form a government is aiding Hizbullah's preparations for future hostilities with Israel.

Pakistan Election Decision Due Wednesday

On Wednesday we will know whether the January 9 parliamentary elections in Pakistan will be postponed because of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The Election Commission is meeting with the various parties to discuss the postponement and will announce its decision on Wednesday. A postponement is expected. One opposition leader pulled his party out of the elections immediately after Mrs. Bhutto's death.

Thanks to: The Media Line

1 comment:

GS Don Morris, Ph.D./Chana Givon said...

Thank you for reading my blog and thank you for an articulate and accurate description of the actual events-feel free to send other pieces to post here-all the best-doc